Business View Civil & Municipal | Volme 3, Issue 2

6 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2 LD-CLASS, environmental and economic benefits of the rapidly growing offshore wind sector.” New Jersey has a rich history of developing advanced, world-renowned R&D facilities including: the legendary Bell Labs in Murray Hill and Holmdel; the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory; the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic County; the Federal Aviation Administration’s premiere scientific research, development, engineering, and test site; and, the Coriell Institute for Medical Research in Camden, the largest stem cell bank in the world. The Authority considers the proposed offshore wind R&D facility to be a signature investment at a similar scale. “We applaud EDA for issuing this RFP to determine the feasibility of an offshore wind innovation center,” said NJBPU President Joseph L. Fiordaliso. “Offshore wind is a key initiative of the Murphy Administration with a goal of 7.500 of offshore wind energy by 2035. At present we are more than halfway to that goal. We are looking forward to issuing our third solicitation later this year for applications that, if granted, will allow us to get closer to reaching our ultimate goal.” New Jersey is a national leader in offshore wind with over 3,700 megawatts (MW) in the works, out of a targeted 7,500 MW by 2035. Further commitments by leading global industry firms to produce critical supply chain components in the Garden State, such as monopiles and nacelles will translate to direct and distinct opportunities for wind turbine component, subcomponent, and material innovation to flourish in New Jersey and for local suppliers to enter the offshore wind supply chain as mid- and lower-tier suppliers. The Authority envisions the offshore wind R&D The Innovation Center will be instrumental in ensuring that New Jersey leads on world-renowned offshore wind technology research and innovation and harnesses the environmental and economic benefits of the rapidly growing offshore wind sector